The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal in Abuja has ordered the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate international subscription tariffs for pay TV in comparison with Nigeria.
The panel directed that the report of the inquiry should be submitted before it within six months.
In a unanimous verdict on Tuesday, a three-member panel presided by Mr Thomas Okosun, also summoned the management of MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd to appear on September 8 with their 2021 audited financial report.
The tribunal said the summons was to determine the appropriate fine for contempt over the disobedience of its order for status quo made on March 30 against the increase of tariff rates.
The action was brought by Barrister Festus Onifade and the Coalition of Nigerian Consumers challenging MultiChoice’s May 2020 tariff increase for its products and services in Nigeria.
They demanded the sum of N10 million in damages and another N1 million cost of the suit against the South African-owned company, which operates GoTV, DSTV, Showmax and digital terrestrial services.
But the panel dismissed the reliefs sought by the claimants on the grounds that they could not prove the damages and trauma suffered as a result of the increase in tariffs.
The tribunal also agreed with the submission of FCCPC that it has no powers to regulate prices in Nigeria’s free market, except by the directive of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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